Raphael Assunção faces Cory Sandhagen at UFC 241, says website

R. Assunção faces C. Sandhagen at UFC 241. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @cors.life

The Brazilian Raphael Assunção will face the North American Cory Sandhagen at UFC 241, on August 17, in Anaheim (USA). The information was released by 'ESPN' last Wednesday (22). The Pernambuco native is coming off a defeat to his compatriot Marlon moraes, in February this year.

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If the duel is confirmed by Ultimate, Assunção needs to win if he wants to keep his dream of fighting for the category belt alive.

Since debuting in the UFC in 2011, Raphael has played 14 times. Among all the clashes, the Brazilian was defeated only on three occasions and never received an opportunity to compete for the bantamweight title (up to 61,2kg).

In his last commitment, Assunção had to face an athlete from his own country. When he faced Marlon moraes, in February this year, Raphael was surprised by a submission in the first round, which gave his opponent the chance to fight for the belt, vacant by TJ Dillashaw, against the current flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg.), Heny Cejudo, in the UFC 238, in June.

The Pernambuco's opponent, however, is in a different situation. Cory, 27 years old, is undefeated in six fights. Eighth in the rankings, the North American's last defeat came in February 2017.

If he manages to win over Raphael, the athlete could take a great leap forward in the category and enter the top 5 of the division once and for all.